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SLA Consulting
Consulting Group
SLA
Group
RegenOx® Treats Benzene in Low Permeability Soils
Introduction
Service station operations created a benzene contaminant plume in tight subsurface soils. A dual-phase
extraction system (DPE) was installed and removed a total of 9,965 pounds of petroleum hydrocarbons
over two 90-day operational periods. However, contaminant removal reached asymptotic levels and a
more effective remedial strategy was needed to address the remaining benzene concentrations. The DPE
system was shut down in December 2004 and RegenOx® was selected to evaluate the effectiveness of
reducing benzene and MTBE concentrations in tight soil lithology.
Description of Activities
RegenOx was pilot tested around well DPRW-6 to evaluate its effectiveness in tight soil. A total of
1,439 pounds of RegenOx was applied near well DPRW-6 as a pilot test in August 2005 (510 lbs) and
July 2006 (929 lbs). Benzene concentrations declined within 15 weeks by 76% and successfully reached
the Site Specific Target Level (SSTL) (Graph 1), prompting a design for full scale implementation.
The objective of full-scale treatment was to provide rapid mass reduction of benzene concentrations and
reach the SSTL of 20.1ppm across the 9,100 ft2 source area. Benzene rebound at DPRW-6 (the original
pilot test well) six months post-injection suggested that a previously unidentified plume had recontaminated that area. After additional site characterization was completed, 7,110 pounds of RegenOx
were applied during six injection events over five treatment areas (Figure 1). The RegenOx injections
were performed over a 6 month period due to weather delays. Monitoring was conducted to observe
potential contaminant rebound from areas requiring additional injections. The applications targeted a
treatment thickness of 14-20 feet bgs into silty clay with intermittent sand “stringers”. RegenOx was
injected using a top-down direct-push injection technique with 5-15 lbs of RegenOx injected per vertical
foot.
Figure 1. RegenOx Full-Scale Treatment Areas
DPRW-6
Table 1. Pilot Test Results in DPRW-6 (ppm)
Contaminant
Baseline
Pilot
15 wks
Post Inj.
Reduction
Benzene
36.3
8.7
76%
Area 3b
GW
Flow
DPRW-3
Area 3a
SSTL
DPRW-2
Area 2
DPE
Shutdown
RegenOx
Injection
Area 4
RegenOx
Injection
Service
Station
Area 1
DPRW-1
______________________________________________________________________________________
1825 Summit Avenue / Suite 206 / Plano TX / 75074 / Ph. 972.943.9923 / F. 972.943.9918
SLA Consulting
Consulting Group
SLA
Group
ƒ Soil Type: Silty clay with sand stringers
ƒ RegenOx Applied: 7,110 lbs
ƒ Depth to Groundwater: 13 ft
ƒ Injection Spacing: 5-8 ft on-center
ƒ Groundwater Velocity: 0.20 ft/day
ƒ Injection Events: 6 total
Results
Prior to the full-scale application, benzene
concentrations exceeded the SSTL of 20.1ppm
in all wells. Monitoring over a 7 month period
prior to remedial treatment indicated an
increase in concentrations from 12 - 32ppm to
20.4 - 44.1ppm.
Table 2. Full Scale Application Details
Date of Inj.
Treatment
Area (ft2)
RegenOx
Applied (lbs)
Area 1
5/2007
600
1,560
Area 2
6/2007
750
1,320
Area 3a
7/2007
600
1,020
RegenOx was applied over six injection events
7,10,11/2007
400
1,680
as indicated in Table 2. Sampling conducted Area 3b
after the final application event in December
Area 4
11,12/2007
750
735
2007 indicated a benzene reduction to at or
below the SSTL in all wells (Graphs 2) including the original pilot test well DPRW-6. As monitoring
continued, a decline in benzene concentrations persisted via natural attenuation and all wells sampled
below 10ppm in August 2009. Based on the reducing trend observed over the past 12 months, the site was
recommended for closure.
Begin RegenOx Injections
SSTL
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SLA Environmental Services is a specialized contracting company dedicated to providing professional
direct push soil and groundwater sampling, in-situ chemical application and mobile dual phase
extraction services to the engineering and environmental consulting industries. Established in 1996, SLA
has specialized in the development of successful site-specific approaches to the in-situ application of
chemical oxidation products to tight formations and shallow bedrock environments. Michael S. Sewell,
P.G. is responsible for the management and development of the company and has more than 20 years
experience in the mineral exploration and environmental industries.
______________________________________________________________________________________
1825 Summit Avenue / Suite 206 / Plano TX / 75074 / Ph. 972.943.9923 / F. 972.943.9918